Thrones provide a history of self importance through design, from Ivan the Terrible’s ivory throne to some of the more absurd set pieces, complete with enormous backdrops. The throne and sculptural setting for Papal audiences is a fitting example of something that would have Jesus rolling in his proverbial grave, quite missing the entire message of the scriptures. Other favorites include the coronation throne in Britain which is covered in antique graffiti, as if it were a unimportant school chair, or Saddam Hussein’s scud missile set piece. My personal favorite is the throne which the lunatic singer, Michael Jackson had made for himself, which actually looks ordinary here.

The backdrop is called &#039;The Resurrection and is a statue depicting Jesus<p />rising from a nuclear bomb crater, created by Pericle Fazzini for Pope<p />Paul VI in &#039;77 for the indoor settings for general<p />audiences with the Pope.